27 Mar 2027
Twin share
£2,895pp
Escorted tour
Best of Central Europe: Vienna to Budapest – 15 Days
Vienna, Český Krumlov, Prague, Wrocław, Kraków, the High Tatras and Budapest, with a group of up to 15.
15 days
From £2,865
Tour overview
This 15-day small-group journey loops through five countries of Central Europe, linking imperial capitals, medieval towns and the mountains of Slovakia by bus and train. Groups have up to 15 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You stay fourteen nights in hotels and a pension on a twin or multi-share basis, sometimes with shared facilities. Breakfast is included on most days, leaving plenty of freedom to try schnitzel, pierogi, goulash and chimney cake along the way, and there is generous free time in each city.
In Vienna your leader takes you through the compact centre past St Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg, with a classic coffee and cake experience. You cross into the Czech Republic for two nights in Český Krumlov, a fairy-tale town of cobbled lanes on a loop of the Vltava, with a guided tour and a free day perhaps for the castle. In Prague an orientation walk is followed by a free day for the castle, the Charles Bridge and the Jewish Quarter.
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Local trains and a private bus bring you into Poland, with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Church of Peace at Świdnica, built entirely of wood, clay and straw, before two nights in Wrocław, a city of islands, bridges and little bronze dwarfs. In Kraków, once the residence of Polish kings, you join a guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, a sobering and important experience.
Travelling by local bus through southern Poland, you reach the alpine resort of Tatranská Lomnica in Slovakia's High Tatras for a hike in the mountains, partly by funicular. A long day's journey then brings you to Budapest, the Pearl of the Danube, for a free day of thermal baths, grand boulevards and the Castle District.
The physical rating is medium, with long travel days and a mountain hike. This trip suits independent-minded travellers who want a good-value introduction to the history and cities of Central Europe. Two nights in most stops give a relaxed rhythm, and your leader handles every border crossing and connection along the way.
Trip highlights
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Vienna's coffee and cake culture (Day 2)
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Two nights in Český Krumlov (Days 3–4)
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The Church of Peace at Świdnica (Day 7)
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Wrocław's islands and bridges (Day 8)
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Auschwitz-Birkenau (Day 10)
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A hike in the High Tatras (Day 12)
Your route
10 stops from Vienna to Budapest
- Vienna Days 1–2
- Cesky Krumlov Days 3–4
- Prague Days 5–6
- Swidnica Day 7
- Wroclaw Days 7–8
- Krakow Days 9–10
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Day 10
- Wieliczka Salt Mines Day 10
- Tatranska Lomnica Days 11–12
- Budapest Days 13–15
Why choose this tour
Five countries and their highlights in two weeks, at a good price. Mountains and medieval towns as well as capitals, with free time.
Best suited to
- Budget-conscious travellers
- Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
- History lovers
- First-time visitors to Central Europe
Day-by-day itinerary
15 days from Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary
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Day 1 · Vienna Arrive in Vienna
A welcome meeting at 6pm.
- Hotel
- Magdas Hotel or similar
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Day 2 · St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna Vienna
A walk through the centre and coffee and cake.
- Hotel
- Magdas Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Český Krumlov Český Krumlov
Cross into Bohemia for a guided tour.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Český Krumlov Free day in Český Krumlov
Explore at leisure, perhaps visiting the castle.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Prague Prague
Bus to Prague for an orientation walk.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Prague Free day in Prague
Explore Prague at your own pace.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 7 · Świdnica, Wrocław Świdnica to Wrocław
Visit the Church of Peace on the way to Wrocław.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 8 · Wrocław, Ostrów Tumski Wrocław
A free day in Wrocław.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Kraków Kraków
Train to Kraków.
- Hotel
- Pension
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Oświęcim, Kraków Auschwitz-Birkenau
A guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.
- Hotel
- Pension
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Tatranská Lomnica High Tatras
Travel by local bus to the Tatras.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 12 · High Tatras Tatras hike
A mountain hike, partly by funicular.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Budapest Budapest
A long journey to Budapest.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Budapest Free day in Budapest
Explore the baths and boulevards.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 15 · Budapest Trip ends in Budapest
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Vienna (2 nights) Magdas Hotel or similar
- Český Krumlov (2 nights) Hotel
- Prague (2 nights) Hotel
- Wrocław (2 nights) Hotel
- Kraków (2 nights) Pension
- Tatranská Lomnica (2 nights) Hotel
- Budapest (2 nights) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 14 nights in hotels and a pension
- Meals 12 breakfasts
- Bus and train travel between stops
- Vienna coffee and cake and a Český Krumlov guided tour
- Wrocław walk and the Church of Peace at Świdnica
- Auschwitz-Birkenau guided tour
- High Tatras hike
- Leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Vienna and from Budapest
- Meals not included 2 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want many meals included — mostly breakfasts
- You want a private room — rooms are twin or multi-share
- You dislike long travel days — some journeys are long
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–5 and 8–15 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: none included
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,865 per person, twin share, tour only. 64 upcoming departures.
10 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,080pp
17 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,950pp
24 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,030pp
01 May 2027
Twin share
£3,035pp
08 May 2027
Twin share
£3,095pp
15 May 2027
Twin share
£3,195pp
22 May 2027
Twin share
£3,095pp
26 May 2027
Twin share
£3,035pp
29 May 2027
Twin share
£3,035pp
05 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,980pp
12 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,980pp
26 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,950pp
03 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,950pp
10 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,865pp
17 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,865pp
28 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,865pp
07 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,865pp
11 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,950pp
14 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,995pp
21 Aug 2027
Twin share
£3,035pp
28 Aug 2027
Twin share
£3,035pp
01 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,035pp
04 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,095pp
11 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,095pp
15 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,095pp
18 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,095pp
22 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,095pp
25 Sept 2027
Twin share
£3,035pp
02 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,035pp
09 Oct 2027
Twin share
£2,950pp
16 Oct 2027
Twin share
£2,865pp
25 Mar 2028
Twin share
£3,010pp
08 Apr 2028
Twin share
£3,010pp
15 Apr 2028
Twin share
£3,010pp
22 Apr 2028
Twin share
£3,095pp
29 Apr 2028
Twin share
£3,185pp
06 May 2028
Twin share
£3,185pp
13 May 2028
Twin share
£3,250pp
20 May 2028
Twin share
£3,250pp
24 May 2028
Twin share
£3,250pp
27 May 2028
Twin share
£3,185pp
03 Jun 2028
Twin share
£3,185pp
10 Jun 2028
Twin share
£3,095pp
24 Jun 2028
Twin share
£3,095pp
01 Jul 2028
Twin share
£3,010pp
08 Jul 2028
Twin share
£3,010pp
15 Jul 2028
Twin share
£3,010pp
26 Jul 2028
Twin share
£3,010pp
05 Aug 2028
Twin share
£3,095pp
09 Aug 2028
Twin share
£3,095pp
12 Aug 2028
Twin share
£3,095pp
19 Aug 2028
Twin share
£3,095pp
26 Aug 2028
Twin share
£3,185pp
30 Aug 2028
Twin share
£3,185pp
02 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,185pp
09 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,250pp
13 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,250pp
16 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,250pp
20 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,250pp
23 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,250pp
30 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,185pp
07 Oct 2028
Twin share
£3,095pp
14 Oct 2028
Twin share
£3,010pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Which countries do we visit?
Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.
Is the Auschwitz visit included?
Yes, a guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum on Day 10.
How hard is the Tatras hike?
A moderate mountain walk, partly by funicular, suitable for those with reasonable fitness.
Can I continue to Dubrovnik?
Yes, a longer 29-day version continues through the Balkans to Dubrovnik.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors do not need a visa for these countries for a short holiday stay.
How many people travel together?
Up to 15 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary